Hong Kong Watch Briefing on Human Rights Developments: July 2024

This briefing describes developments in Hong Kong in July 2024 focusing on the rapid deterioration of human rights in the city following the imposition of the National Security Law and the passage of Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

POLITICAL PRISONERS: ARRESTS, CHARGES & TRIALS

  • Mitigation hearings for Hong Kong 47 case delayed due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’

  • Chow Hang-tung to pay HK$100K in legal costs after failing to overturn government bid to ban ‘Glory to Hong Kong’

  • Owen Chow charged for ‘carrying an unauthorised article out of prison’

  • Jimmy Lai to testify when trial resumes in November

  • Court hears final appeal from Martin Lee, Jimmy Lai and five other democrats to overturn 2019 demonstration conviction

  • Ma Chun-man, who had Article 23 retroactively applied to his sentence, files first legal challenge against new security law

  • Elderly busker faces fresh charges for playing pro-democracy anthem ‘Glory to Hong Kong’

  • Hong Kong student charged over peaceful shopping mall protest four years ago

THE STATE OF THE RULE OF LAW AND POLICING

  • 27th anniversary of Hong Kong’s handover and the fourth anniversary of the National Security Law met with heavy police presence in Hong Kong

  • Hong Kong Christian Institute set to disband due to ‘social environment’

  • Hong Kong Book Fair Exhibitors forced to remove certain titles

STATE SECURITY AND ECONOMY

  • Lord Patten of Barnes issues statement on the withholding of Hong Kongers' MPF savings

  • Hong Konger with Canadian Permanent Residency successfully withdraws MPF savings from Manulife

OTHER DEVELOPMENTS

  • China rejects recommendations from Western countries following United Nations Universal Periodic Review

  • Hong Kong Watch publishes guide on how the new UK Parliament and government should approach Hong Kong

  • Hong Kong Watch Canada holds roundtable discussion on Hong Kong Pathway backlog issue at HongKonger Community Centre Toronto

Briefing, NewsMegan KhooHR